April Brooker

At 12 years old, April Brooker is enjoying life with her friends in Maine. She has ambitions to become a writer and a professional tennis player, when she is forced to move to New Zealand with her family. These events test her character and shape her future.

After 3 years hard work, April Brooker is making her mark in tournament tennis. But her season plans are disrupted when she has to mentor talented, wilful and determined Emily McLean. Emily not only tests April's tennis skills, but also her character and threatens her intimate friendship with Anderson Woodbury. Other titles in this series are: April Brooker April Brooker: The Tournament April Brooker: The Family Other books by John Dutch include When I Need A Hand.

The evolutionary, ecological and behavioral questions posed by obligate brood parasites are among the most intriguing of all contemporary ornithological topics. Avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and may be a major contributing factor driving several species of songbirds to near extinction. As one of the first books to present a comprehensive overview of this fascinating phenomenon, this work discusses the comparative biology and co-evolutionary adaptations exhibited by the five families of birds that engage in such behavior. Several chapters dealing with the comparative biology of both intraspecific and interspecific brood parasites, are followed by individual accounts of all known species--nearly 100 altogether, primarily cowbirds and cuckoos. Some of the more remarkable behavioral and structural adaptations of these birds include egg mimicry, juvenile mimicry, elimination by starvation or actual attack of other nestlings or host eggs, and even the learning and partial mimicry of host song traits. An extended glossary, a list of Latin names, 400 literature citations and range maps of all parasitic species discussed are also included. Detailed line drawings by the author enhance this synthesis of biological and ecological information.

Anderson Woodbury, a new graduate Ph D, has just realized his impossible dream and become engaged to marry April Brooker, a wealthy former professional tennis player. But almost at once he is challenged to give up his long-time ambition of becoming a Sports Psychologist to work in his grandfather's factory. And April is faced with Anderson's refusal to use any of her savings for their future together. Pressure mounts as family and friends make increasing demands on the two strong-willed professionals. Confronting one critical life decision after another, they fight to balance their dreams and responsibilities. Anderson and April must draw on all their faith, love and moral strength as each knows that the wrong choice at any point will destroy whatever chance of happiness they have.Other titles in this series include: Games of Consequence Playing Advantage April and AndersonOther Books by John Dutch include: April Brooker April Brooker: The Tournament April Brooker and Emily McLean April Brooker: The FamilySunshine When I Need a Hand On Hard Times, and other stories

April Brooker is now 17 years old. She is persuaded to join her family for a Christmas get-together in Newton, a small town in New Zealand’s far north, where she will play in her first open tennis tournament. Supported by the ever loyal Anderson Woodbury, and her family, April has to dig deeper than ever before as she battles stress, self-doubt, her emotions, fatigue, the holiday atmosphere, and the elements in order to take another step closer to her dream of becoming a professional. Other titles in this series are: April Brooker April Brooker: The Tournament April Brooker and Emily McLean. Other books by John Dutch include When I Need a Hand.